KR102534544B1 - Method and system for temporal leasing game items by use of NFT - Google Patents

Abstract

The technical idea of the present disclosure relates to a method of leasing game items using a non-fungible token (NFT) performed by an electronic device. The method includes the steps of: registering game items on an item rental platform; selecting a rental target among registered game items; establishing an item rental agreement between a lessor and a lessee; remitting a rent according to the rental agreement to the lessor; issuing a rental NFT and recording it on a blockchain; and transferring the right to use the items to the lessee during a rental period.

Description

Method and system for leasing game items using non-fungible tokens (NFT) {Method and system for temporal leasing game items by use of NFT}

The present invention relates to a method and system for leasing a game item using a non-fungible token (NFT). More specifically, it relates to a game item rental system and method for executing a game item rental contract using NFT and transferring game item usage rights.

With the development of graphic technology and the development of online network services, the number of users using game contents is rapidly increasing. In the game content, users can feel vicarious satisfaction by manipulating a character representing themselves in the virtual world or by manipulating various objects existing in the real world. For example, a user can relieve stress and have fun by creating a character representing himself in the virtual world, and allowing the character to perform various actions while increasing the level of the character. These game contents provide various types of items that can be used within the game contents in order to enable users to easily use the game and to differentiate themselves from other users in using the game.

Items are one of the key elements in game content, and there are various types of items that can improve the stats of game characters that represent users, help game characters acquire experience points, and decorate the appearance of characters. Therefore, it is being serviced so that it can be purchased and sold using acquired cyber money, or it can be purchased by paying real money.

Transactions of these game items have conventionally been generally performed using an introduced transaction system between consumers and game companies. For example, when a game item transaction is made between consumers, it is a structure in which it is difficult to make a lease and a sale method.

On the other hand, as a method of authenticating ownership of digital content and selling digital content through it, Non-Fungible Token is drawing attention in that it can prove ownership transaction on a network connected to the Internet. As of 2021, the global NFT market is worth $40 billion, and the market is growing in the art industry and game industry due to the characteristics of storing transaction records on a blockchain that cannot be arbitrarily modified and guaranteeing ownership.

Each fungible token has the same value and function. They can be exchanged with each other, and if a 1:1 exchange of the same unit occurs, it is virtually the same as if no exchange occurred. On the other hand, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have characteristics that cannot be exchanged 1:1 with other tokens because each has its own uniqueness. For example, since an airline ticket is all specified, such as the issuer, flight number, and seat location, it is similar to the fact that it cannot be substituted with another ticket that is exactly the same.

NFTs can ensure their uniqueness by permanently leaving encrypted transaction details on the blockchain. Therefore, for example, after creators create (create) their own digital data, such as image files, video files, and voice files, By issuing NFTs as a means of authenticating the ownership of these creations and trading NFTs, they are also used as a means of trading the ownership of digital data to others.

Korean Registered Patent 1283526 (registered on July 23, 2013)

An object of the present invention is to provide a game item rental method and system using a non-fungible token (NFT). More specifically, a game item rental system and method for executing a game item rental contract using NFT and transferring game item usage rights are provided.

In the game item rental method using a non-fungible token (NFT) performed by an electronic device according to the technical idea of the present disclosure,

Registering a game item on an item rental platform;

Selecting a rental target among registered game items;

establishing an item lease agreement between the lessor and the lessee;

Remittance of rent to the lessor according to the lease agreement;

Issuing a rental NFT and recording it on the blockchain; and

Transferring the right to use the item to the lessee during the rental period.

guiding the parties to terminate the use right after the rental period ends; and

A step of recovering the right to use the item from the lessee to the lessor may be further included.

The rental NFT is on-chain data stored in a node of the blockchain, and may include at least owner information of the NFT and information indicating the storage location of the original content.

The rental NFT may include at least account name, game name, item name, rental period, and rental rental information.

After establishing an item lease agreement between the lessor and the lessee,

A step of providing a deposit to the rental platform may be further included.

After the step of transferring the right to use the item to the lessee during the rental period,

The step of recovering the right to use the item and returning the deposit may be further included.

A computer readable recording medium on which a computer program for executing the game item rental method according to the above method is recorded is proposed.

As a game item rental system using a non-fungible token (NFT) according to the present disclosure,

An NFT issuing unit that issues a rental NFT including rental information of a game item;

a user management unit that manages user information on the platform;

Electronic wallet management department that manages rent;

A blockchain management unit that manages the ledger of rental NFTs issued on the blockchain;

a game item management unit that manages game items to be leased;

Contract Management Department, which manages the conclusion of rental contracts; and

and a game interlocking unit that controls the transfer of the right to use game items according to the concluded contract.

The e-wallet management unit receives the deposit according to the contents of the contract when the contract management unit concludes a rental contract,

The electronic wallet management unit may transmit the deposit according to the contents of the contract when the game linking unit retrieves the right to use the game item after the rental period has elapsed.

The rental NFT is on-chain data stored in a node of the blockchain, and may include at least owner information of the NFT and information indicating the storage location of the original content.

According to the technical idea of the present invention, based on blockchain technology, a rental system is introduced for a certain period of time in addition to the sale of ownership of game items, providing rental income to item owners and providing rental income to those who need to use the items only for the rental period. provide an opportunity to use

Specifically, the right to own and use the item is registered as an asset to prove it, and the conditions and methods of the transaction for leasing are registered on the blockchain as a smart contract to prevent transaction transparency and dispute occurrence, and to track and response can be carried out effectively.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game item rental system according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the game item rental platform according to Figure 1.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating in detail mutual operations between components of the digital content rental system according to FIG. 1 .
4 is a flowchart illustrating a game item rental method.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be implemented in various different forms, and only the following embodiments complete the technical idea of the present disclosure, and in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs. It is provided to completely inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical spirit of the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims.

In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly specifically defined. Terminology used herein is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. In this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used in describing the components of the present disclosure. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element is directly connected or connectable to the other element, but there is another element between the elements. It will be understood that elements may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected”.

As used in this disclosure, "comprises" and/or "comprising" means that a stated component, step, operation, and/or element is one or more other components, steps, operations, and/or elements. Existence or additions are not excluded.

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions may be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless stated to the contrary, descriptions described in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions will be omitted to the extent of overlapping or to the extent that those skilled in the art can clearly understand. can

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game item rental system 1000 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the game item rental system may include a lessor's electronic device 100, a game item rental platform 200, a lessee's electronic device 300, a blockchain network 400, and storage (not shown). Each component subject (100, 200, 300, 400) can connect and communicate with each other through wired/wireless communication networks.

The lessor's electronic device 100 may refer to an electronic device terminal having authority to own or lease assets for game items. The electronic device 100 may be, for example, any portable/non-portable or wireless/wired computer device such as a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a desktop computer, and is not limited to a specific example.

The lessee's electronic device 300 refers to a terminal of a lessee who wants to rent a game item owned by the lessor's electronic device 100 . The terminal of the lessee's electronic device 300 may also be any computer device such as, for example, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a desktop computer, and is not limited to a specific example.

The blockchain network 400 means a distributed network based on known blockchain technology. In one embodiment, the blockchain network 400 may be a network structure capable of issuing and storing non-fungible tokens (NFTs). For example, the blockchain network 400 is an Ethereum-based blockchain network. Digital content owners can issue or purchase NFTs ("original NFTs") that certify ownership of digital content on a known NFT issuance platform or NFT trading platform (eg OpenSea, Rarible, etc.).

At this time, the game item itself (hereinafter referred to as "original content") is stored as digital content in the storage of the server operated by the game operator, and the NFT containing information on ownership/lease of the game item is a blockchain network ( 400) may be distributed and stored in nodes on the top. When leasing a game item, data such as metadata (lessor account, lessee account, game name, item name, lease period, rent, signature, etc.) necessary for concluding an item contract are written on the smart contract of the rental NFT and stored on the blockchain network (400 ) can be minted on. The issuance of these rental NFTs can guarantee the transaction transparency of the lessor and lessee who participated in the transaction, and can facilitate dispute resolution in the event of a dispute.

The game item rental platform 200 is a system that supports rental of game items registered in the lessor's electronic device 100 to the lessee's electronic device 300 . A detailed configuration of the game item rental platform 200 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the game item rental platform 200 according to FIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 2, the game item rental platform 200 includes a user management unit 210, an NFT issuance unit 220, an electronic wallet management unit 230, a blockchain (ledger) management unit 240, a communication unit 280, a contract It includes a management unit 270, a contract interlocking unit 260, and a game item management unit 250.

The user management unit 210 is a functional unit that manages information on the platform of lessors and lessees of game items. For example, the user management unit 210 may include at least some of functions such as member subscription management, member list creation and management, member account creation and management, electronic wallet creation and management, and hardware resources for supporting them ( eg database, etc.) and/or software (eg, database management system, etc.) resources. Since these member management functions can be implemented with known technologies, a description thereof will be omitted.

The NFT issuing unit 220 is a functional unit that issues and manages rental NFTs. For example, the NFT issuing unit 120 may generate (issue) and store a rental NFT for the corresponding game item when a rental request for a specific game item is received according to the request of the lessee's electronic device 300 . The metadata of the rental NFT can be stored on-chain in the blockchain network (400 in FIG. 1).

When a game item is leased, the electronic wallet management unit 230 transmits a fee (rent) due to the transaction to the electronic wallet of the lessor's electronic device 100, which is the terminal of the owner of the game item.

Furthermore, when the contract management unit 270 concludes a rental contract, the electronic wallet management unit 230 may receive a deposit from the lessee according to the contents of the contract. When the game interlocking unit 260 retrieves the right to use the game item after the rental period has elapsed, the electronic wallet management unit 230 may transmit the deposit to the lessee according to the contents of the contract. If the lessee does not re-transfer the right to use the game item even after the rental period has elapsed or if the re-transfer date is delayed, the electronic wallet management unit 230 transfers some or all of the deposit to the lessor's electronic device for damages caused by the act. It can be transferred to the electronic wallet of (100).

The blockchain management unit 240 performs a function of managing the ledger of the rental NFT issued on the blockchain network (400 in FIG. 1).

The game interlocking unit 260 is a functional unit that controls the transfer of the right to use game items according to the concluded contract. The game interlocking unit 260 transfers the right to use the game item from the lessee to the lessor so that the contents of the game item rental contract concluded through the platform 200 are reflected in interworking with the game company server that controls the virtual space that is the object of the game item. It is possible to link the ownership of the item to the game to match the contents of the contract, such as transfer from the lessor to the lessee.

In one embodiment, the game linking unit 260 may directly change/link the ownership of an item by linking with a game server.

The contract management unit 270 represents a function unit that manages the conclusion of a lease contract for game items. The lessor registers the game item to be rented through the terminal on the platform 200 along with the rental-related information (account name, game name, item name, rental fee), and the lessee registers the item that the lessee wishes to rent among the game items registered through the terminal. can be selected. The contract management unit 270 concludes a lease contract between the lessor and the lessee for leasing the game item according to the request of the lessee's electronic device 300 . The content of the contract may include metadata such as account name, item name, game name, rental period, rent, information contract signature, and the like.

The contract management unit 270 transmits the contents of the contract to the NFT issuing unit 220 and can be processed by a blockchain-based smart contract method as an electronic contract. The contract management unit 270 manages and verifies the integrity of various documents necessary for contracts, such as contracts, estimates, proposals, and orders generated during electronic contracts, and distributes transactions by a central server and distributed to each node without a central storage. It can be implemented as a blockchain distributed ledger and distributed storage.

The communication unit 280 includes, but is not limited to, all components enabling data to be exchanged through wired/wireless communication between the platform 200 and external components.

Furthermore, the game item rental platform 200 may include a server including a processor and memory. However, it is not limited thereto, and other general-purpose elements such as a communication module may be further included in the server.

The memory may have a structure for storing various commands or data processed by the server. For example, the memory may be implemented as non-volatile memory such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, PRAM, MRAM, RRAM, FRAM, etc., or volatile memory such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, PRAM, RRAM, FeRAM, etc. and may be implemented in the form of HDD, SSD, SD, Micro-SD, etc., or a combination thereof.

The processor may have a structure for performing processing processes required for the operation of the game item rental platform 200 . The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates or a general-purpose microprocessor for processing various operations inside the server, and may be composed of a single processor or a plurality of processors. For example, the processor may be implemented in the form of at least one of a CPU, a GPU, and an AP.

The processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, and the user management unit 210, the NFT issuing unit 220, the electronic wallet management unit 230, and the blockchain (ledger) management unit (which are each component of the game item rental platform 200) 240), the communication unit 280, the contract management unit 270, the contract interlocking unit 260, and the game item management unit 250.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating in detail mutual operations between components of the digital content rental system according to FIG. 1 .

Detailed operations of the lessor's electronic device 100, the game item rental platform 200, the lessee's electronic device 300, and a blockchain network (not shown) are shown.

In step S110, the lessor's electronic device 100 may request the platform 200 to register the game item. The game item rental platform 200 may post game item-related information and lessor information on the platform.

In step S120, the platform 200 may receive a rental request for game items from the lessee's electronic device 300.

In step S130 , the lessor's electronic device 100 and the lessee's electronic device 300 may conclude a rental contract for the game item through the platform 200 . As described above, the item rental contract may include the lessor account, lessee account, game name, item name, rental period, rental fee, and information contract signature.

In step (S140), the platform 200 may receive the rent according to the conclusion of the contract from the lessee and transmit it to the lessor. Transfer of rent may be performed by the electronic wallet management unit 230 as described above.

In this step (S140), not only the rent, but also the deposit to increase the stability of the contract and respond to issues such as uncollected item and delayed return can be received from the lessee and stored on the platform.

In step S150, a rental NFT may be issued. A rental NFT is on-chain data stored in a node of a blockchain, and may include at least owner information of the NFT and information indicating the storage location of the original content. The rental NFT may further include at least account name, game name, item name, rental period, and rental information. In this step (S150), the contract management unit 270 transmits the contents of the contract to the NFT issuing unit 220, and can be processed by the blockchain-based smart contract method as an electronic contract. The contract management unit 270 manages and verifies the integrity of various documents necessary for contracts, such as contracts, estimates, proposals, and orders generated during electronic contracts, and distributes transactions by a central server and distributed to each node without a central storage. It can be implemented as a blockchain distributed ledger and distributed storage.

In step S160, the right to use the game item may be transferred from the lessor to the lessee according to the contents of the contract and rental NFT. In this step (S160), the transfer of the right to use the game item may be performed by the game interlocking unit 260. The game interlocking unit 260 transfers the right to use the game item from the lessee to the lessor so that the contents of the game item rental contract concluded through the platform 200 are reflected in interworking with the game company server that controls the virtual space that is the object of the game item. It is possible to link the ownership of the item to the game to match the contents of the contract, such as transfer from the lessor to the lessee.

In step S170, when the rental period has elapsed, the platform 200 may notify the lessor's electronic device 100 and the lessee's electronic device 300 about expiration of the usage period and transmit request information for re-transfer of the item.

In step S180, the platform 200 may retrieve the game item from the lessee and retransfer it to the lessor.

In this step (S180) according to an embodiment, the deposit received from the lessee and stored in the platform may be sent to the lessee. If the lessee violates the terms of the contract, the amount obtained by deducting part of the deposit can be sent to the lessee according to the terms of the contract.

In step S190, the method of transferring game items ends.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a game item rental method. Referring to FIG. 4, the rental method includes registering game items on the item rental platform (S210), selecting a rental target among registered game items (S220), and establishing an item rental contract between the lessor and the lessee (S220). S230), remittance of the rent according to the lease agreement to the lessor (S240), issuing the rental NFT and recording it in the blockchain (S250), transferring the right to use the item to the lessee during the rental period (S260), After the rental period ends, a step of guiding the user to terminate the right to use (S270), and a step of recovering the right to use the item from the lessee to the lessor (S280).

The rental NFT includes metadata including registration date, tenant ID, target original NFT, rental period, and temporary URL information, and the smart contract for the rental contract can be minted on the blockchain. The lessee can access the copy digital content stored in the rental distributed storage through the provided URL, but cannot access the secure distributed storage with restricted access from outside.

The method according to the invention can be implemented by program code. Program code may be executed by a non-transitory storage medium. The program code is executed by the hardware processor, and the program code can be executed to trade based on the ownership information generated based on the NFT (Non Fungible Toke) in the artificial intelligence pipeline in the distributed blockchain network 400.

The blockchain network 400 may store and manage a database including a plurality of block states updated according to one or more transactions related to functions received from a client device.

In firmware and/or software implementation, the techniques include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), PROM ( stored on a computer readable medium, such as programmable read-only memory (EPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD), magnetic or optical data storage device, etc. It can also be implemented as instructions. Instructions may be executable by one or more processors and may cause the processor(s) to perform certain aspects of the functionality described in this disclosure.

If implemented in software, the techniques may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer readable medium. Computer readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of non-limiting example, such computer readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures. It can be used for transport or storage to and can include any other medium that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.

A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from or write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside within an ASIC. An ASIC may exist within a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist as separate components in a user terminal.

As above, exemplary embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and specifications. Embodiments have been described using specific terms in this specification, but they are only used for the purpose of explaining the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and are not used to limit the scope of the present disclosure described in the meaning or claims. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present disclosure should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

In the game item rental method performed by a server including a processor and using a non-fungible token (NFT),
Registering a game item on an item rental platform;
Selecting a rental target among registered game items;
establishing an item lease agreement between the lessor and the lessee;
separately storing the original item to be rented in a server storage;
granting the lessee access to the copy of the item;
Remittance of rent to the lessor according to the lease agreement;
Issuing and recording a rental NFT including metadata of at least one of the lessor account, lessee account, game name, item name, rental period, rent, and signature and recording it in the blockchain;
transferring the right to use the copy of the item to the lessee during the rental period; and
A game item rental method comprising: limiting the right to use a copy of an item in conjunction with a game server when the rental period has elapsed. According to claim 1,
guiding the parties to terminate the use right after the rental period ends; and
A game item rental method further comprising the step of recovering the right to use the item from the lessee to the lessor. According to claim 1,
The rental NFT is on-chain data stored in a node of a blockchain, characterized in that it includes at least owner information of the NFT and information indicating the storage location of the original content. According to claim 3,
Characterized in that the rental NFT includes at least account name, game name, item name, rental period, and rental rental information. According to claim 1,
After establishing an item lease agreement between the lessor and the lessee,
A method for renting a game item, further comprising providing a deposit to the rental platform. According to claim 5,
After the step of transferring the right to use the item to the lessee during the rental period,
A method of renting a game item, further comprising the step of recovering the right to use the item and returning the deposit. A computer readable recording medium on which a computer program for executing the game item rental method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is recorded. As a game item rental system using a non-fungible token (NFT),
An NFT issuing unit that issues a rental NFT including rental information of a game item including metadata of at least one of a lessor account, a lessee account, a game name, an item name, a lease period, a rent, and a signature;
a user management unit that manages user information on the platform;
Electronic wallet management department that manages rent;
A blockchain management unit that manages the ledger of rental NFTs issued on the blockchain;
a game item management unit that manages game items to be leased, stores original items to be leased separately in a server storage, and grants access rights to copies of the items to lessees;
Contract Management Department, which manages the conclusion of rental contracts; and
A game item rental system comprising: a game interlocking unit that controls the transfer of the right to use the game item according to the concluded contract and limits the right to use the copy of the item by interlocking with the in-game server when the rental period has elapsed. According to claim 8,
The e-wallet management unit receives the deposit according to the contents of the contract when the contract management unit concludes a rental contract,
The game item rental system, characterized in that, when the electronic wallet management unit retrieves the right to use the game item after the rental period has elapsed in the game interlocking unit, it transmits the deposit according to the contents of the contract. According to claim 9,
The rental NFT is an on-chain data stored in a node of a blockchain, characterized in that it includes at least owner information of the NFT and information indicating the storage location of the original content.

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